Underwood, a 2013 Perryton graduate, spent the 2022 season as the Rangers offensive coordinator/ quarterbacks coach under Kurt Haberthur who recently left to be the new head football coach at Gruver.
“It’s an incredible opportunity,” Underwood said. “Perryton is my hometown and it means a lot that I have the trust from the administration and community to put me in this situation. When coach (Kurt) Haberthur left, it was a no brainer for me to make a run at this job and I just want to do my best and keep things moving.”
This is Underwood’s first head coaching position. The 28-year-old West Texas A&M graduate spent five years at Amarillo High (2017-2022) as the wide receivers coach before becoming the offensive coordinator at Perryton last fall. Underwood is thankful for the chance he was given and says he wouldn’t be the coach he is today without being a part of the AHS tradition.
“I was hired by the late Mel Maxfield,” Underwood said. “I’ll be forever grateful to coach Maxfield for giving me a chance to be a coach. From there, Chad Dunnam came in and I loved learning under coach Dunnam. He not only taught me things on the field and how to be a great coach, but he also got me ready for what my job is going to look like now. Then coach (Kurt) Haberthur. We’re both Perryton boys and he’s one not only a mentor but he’s one of my best friends. He’s done so much for me and he’s just a great of a man as he is a football coach.”
Underwood inherits a Perryton football team that was 3-8 last season, however, played many one possession games. Underwood just wants to continue the build the Rangers and hopefully take the program to the next step.
“We had five one score games last year,” Underwood said. “We just need to get over the hump and I know we can do that. We’ve had a great spring with the offseason we’ve had, and the guys are working hard. We’re on the verge of doing something special for both programs and I’m excited to keep that ball rolling.”